Up to 35% of all children in the US are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) each year. 1 in 40 children will be labeled with autism spectrum disorder at some point. 15 million people in the US have some form of learning disability.

So what is this all about? My feeling is that the children arriving on the planet today are profoundly sensitive and bring with them highly developed gifts that the world is sorely in need of. However, what they encounter in today’s typical modern life, with its fast paced, stress-filled day, toxic environment and electronic stimulation in the form of tv, cell phones and the internet, is deeply abrasive to them. It literally scrambles their nervous system and, in some cases, even causes them to retreat into an inner world. I believe that all behaviour in children is a form of communication and once we address that deeper communication, the behaviour will often resolve.

I have put together a comprehensive three month program to strengthen all areas of development and address some of these challenges, a program providing your child’s brain and whole being with the best possible environment in which to thrive. The program consists of three parts:

CranioSacral Therapy

Brain Stimulating Exercise Program

Nutrition

A Three Part Approach

CranioSacral Therapy

“If a person’s body cannot function on auto-pilot, with a relaxed autonomic nervous system, but instead requires mental effort to keep it in balance, there will be insufficient ‘brain power’ - focus, concentration, attention - available for intellectual growth and intellectual tasks.” Vernon H Mark, MD Brain Power

When we are born, the bones of the skull overlap at their sutures in order for babies head to travel down the birth canal. After the birth, when all goes well, those sutures revert back to their positions to allow babies brain the optimal space needed to develop. But sometimes, this process is interrupted by birth complications, c-sections or accidents after birth, resulting in pressure on the growing brain. CranioSacral Therapy can help by freeing those restrictions, improving fluid flow and allowing waste products to be removed and fresh nutrients to be restored to the growing brain. In addition, it allows children to untangle their jangled systems and find a more relaxed and integrated way of coping with the world.

The Science Behind CST for ADD, ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia

Dr. John Upledger conducted research into CST while he was professor of biomechanics at Michigan State University. He led a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bio-engineers who performed and published the clinical research that formed the basis for CST. They specifically focused on the health concerns mentioned above and demonstrated that CST is dramatically effective in these areas.

“Mounting evidence shows that movement is crucial to every brain function, including memory, emotion, language and learning. Our ‘higher’ brain functions have evolved from movement and still depend on it”

Dr John Ratey, A User’s Guide to the Brain

Science now knows that every time we move we are stimulating the sensory system which in turn stimulates and develops the brain. But today’s children move less and less and spend more time in front of screens every year, therefore depriving their brains of crucial developmental processes. In addition there are a series of newborn reflexes that should disappear as the infant grows. However, in some children, these reflexes persist, delaying higher functioning skills and causing problems with learning. Click here for more information.

The answer is to stimulate the brain through a proven series of movements so that these reflexes can be integrated and higher cognitive function can flourish. Using a research-based, 12-week movement program proven to improve reading and academic performance your child is guided through a series of simple exercises, taking 20 minutes, 5 times a week.

Enjoyable, video based activities are done online on any internet connected device; iOS or Android mobile phone, tablet, PC or Mac. The program is simple to use with all the exercises shown on screen – simply click play, and begin!

With a wide variety of fun movement activities each day, the program becomes progressively more challenging through the weeks developing strong visual, auditory, rhythm and motor skills. Research conducted in several of the leading schools in the United Kingdom for over a decade shows the impact this program can have for reading improvement and exam results as well as balance and coordination to improve sports, timing and rhythm ability.

Nutrition

What we eat is a fundamental cornerstone of our health. But what many people don’t realize is that what we eat also affects our emotions and how we feel. This is particularly true for young children who have not yet learned to modulate behaviour. In addition, many children have food sensitivities, that unlike allergies, don’t create immediate symptoms, but rather set up a low grade, systemic irritation in their systems that can cause a variety of symptoms from tantrums to learning difficulties. Using either a food sensitivity test, or an elimination diet, we can hone in on the foods that are causing a problem and together find creative ways to substitute. (Because we all know it’s hard enough to get a child to eat well!) Additionally, we discuss certain supplements that can be helpful in providing your child’s body and brain with optimal nutrition.

First Steps

The first step is an in-depth consultation with you about the challenges that you are experiencing with your child. I want to gain a comprehensive picture of the outcomes you are looking for, as well as all relevant information about their overall health, school life and home routine. Together we will discuss nutritional possibilities and decide whether to do an elimination diet or food sensitivity testing. All the information you need to do either will be provided as well as food substitution recipes and meal planning ideas. Next we will start your child on the movement program and establish a routine that works for your family. Finally, a detailed assessment is conducted to check for structural restrictions that might impact the brain and nervous system. Weekly CranioSacral Therapy appointments are then scheduled to address what is found. As I start to meet with your child, my main focus is on building rapport as I feel that it is through a trusting connection that the most benefit can be gained.

The program focuses on the whole child, meeting them where they currently are and holding open a door for them to step into all of who they are meant to be. The strength of the program rests in the personalized support tailored to meet your child’s unique needs. I spend lots of time with you and your family finding out what is working and what isn’t and offering support in addressing the needs as they arise. Having worked with children for many years, I have a range of tools that we might explore such as essential oils, music therapy, parenting support and education. I look forward to working with your family!

Child Online Assessment

Please complete the form below to schedule a complimentary phone consultation.

Research (published in The British Journal of Occupational Therapy October 1998) shows that a score of 7 or more “yes” answers on the form below indicates that further investigation for underlying neuromotor immaturity is advised for a child over 7 years of age. Once you have submitted your response we can schedule a time for a complimentary phone consultation.

Your Name *

Your Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Phone *

Your Child's Name

Your Child's Name

First Name

Last Name

Child's Date of Birth

Child's Date of Birth

MM

DD

YYYY

Is there a history of learning difficulties in your immediate family?

Yes

No

Were there any medical problems during the pregnancy?

Yes

No

Was the birth process unusual or prolonged in any way? Eg. C-section, Forceps etc

Yes

No

Was your child born early or late? (more than 2 weeks early or more than 10 days late?)

Yes

No

Was your child's birth weight below 5lbs?

Yes

No

Did your child have any difficulty feeding in the first weeks of life, or in keeping food down?

Yes

No

Was your child extremely demanding in the first 6 months of life?

Yes

No

Did your child miss out the "motor stage" of crawling on his or her tummy and creeping on hands and knees?

Yes

No

Was your child late at learning to walk? (16 months or later would be considered late)

Yes

No

Did your child have difficulty in learning to dress himself/herself, for example, do up buttons or tie shoelaces beyond the age of 6-7 years?

Yes

No

Does your child suffer from allergies?

Yes

No

Did your child have an adverse reaction to any of his or her vaccinations?

Yes

No

Did your child continue to wet the bed, albeit occasionally, above the age of 5 years?

Yes

No

Does your child suffer from travel sickness?

Yes

No

Did your child find it difficult to learn to tell the time from a traditional (as opposed to a digital clock) clock?

Yes

No

Did your child have an unusual degree of difficulty learning to ride a bicycle?

Yes

No

Did your child suffer from frequent ear, nose, throat or chest infections at any time in development?

Yes

No

In the first 3 years of life, did your child suffer from any illnesses involving extremely high temperatures, delirium or convulsion?

Yes

No

Does your child have difficulty catching a ball, doing forward rolls/somersaults and stand out as "awkward" in PE classes?

Yes

No

Does your child have difficulty sitting still for even a short period of time?

Yes

No

If there is a sudden unexpected noise, does your child over-react?

Yes

No

Does your child have reading difficulties?

Yes

No

Does your child have writing difficulties?

Yes

No

Does your child have copying difficulties?

Yes

No

Has your child had a diagnosis?

Yes

No

Additional Concerns/Information

Thank you! I will be in touch in within 1-2 days to set up a time for your free phone consultation.